Posts by Lynn Slaughter
Take Five Random Words and Create a Story!
During my years as a dance teacher, I found tremendous value in working on movement improvisation with my students. It stimulated our creative problem-solving skills and often led to interesting ideas for choreography. Not surprisingly, I’ve found that working on writing prompts with my students gets our creative juices going as well. Besides, it’s fun!…
Read MoreThe Sting of Rejection
A very successful writer I know recently mentioned that she never reads reviews of her work. No matter how many glowing reviews she receives, she finds herself obsessing over that one lousy one. I get that. Some really nice things have happened for me writing-wise in the last couple of weeks. My novel, IT SHOULD…
Read MoreMeet Trace Conger: Author of Page-Turning Thrillers & Mysteries
One of the joys of attending writing events is meeting other authors and getting to know their work. I first met Trace Conger at Imaginarium a few years ago. We swapped novels, and I immediately fell in love with his work. Below Trace talks about his latest novel and his approach to writing: First off,…
Read MoreAward-Winning Author Marilyn Levinson Writes Stories for All Ages
Many of you may be familiar with Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook’s engaging mystery and suspense novels for adults. But did you know Marilyn has also written award-winning stories for young readers? Recently, the fourth book in her middle grade Rufus series came out, and I had the chance to interview her about the series. First off,…
Read More“So, What Do You Do When You’re Not Writing?”
Other than the question, “Where do you get your ideas?” we writers are often asked what we do when we’re not writing. I’m always so impressed when an author describes her expertise in knitting or rug-hooking. I am the least crafty person I know! But there are a few things that are dear to me…
Read MoreA New Publishing Home for IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU
I’m so excited to share that my novel, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU, has found a new publishing home at White City Press. This novel holds a special place in my heart. Originally my thesis project for my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University, it was inspired by an experience shared by…
Read MoreKiller Nashville: An Inspiring Conference
It’s not easy for an introvert like myself to spend three days interacting nonstop with other folks, but Killer Nashville, which I attended this past weekend, was well worth it. While it was gratifying to have my novel, MISSING MOM, be named the first runner-up for a Silver Falchion Award, the conference is about so much…
Read MoreThe Superhero at My House
Recently, a couple of friends made the same comment to me: “I have no idea how you do all you do.” I suppose for someone long past retirement age, my life is pretty full. Mostly, I write novels. But I also work with a wonderful teenage creative writing student at the Louisville Academy of Fine…
Read MoreSometimes You Just Have to Trust the Process
For those of you who are writers, do you ever have moments where you panic and think, “I don’t know where to go next? I’m totally stuck.” Some writers talk about feeling that way in the “muddled middle.” But I can have one of my stalled episodes at any point. Recently, I had one as…
Read MoreMining My Past, Especially the Painful Parts, for My Fiction
Years ago, I remember reading an anecdote in Writer’s Digest that had me laughing and nodding my head at the same time. A writer discovered that her dentist husband was having an affair with his office assistant. Her first thought? “Wow. This is material!” I can relate. Not only do none of us get out…
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